Beginning Strings: Grades 5/6



|Instructor: |Dr. Elizabeth Voltz |Phone: |291-6515, ext. 1217 |

|Office: |Room #216 |E-mail: |elizabeth.voltz@ |

|Planning: |8:05 – 9:05 AM |Website: |voltzstringorchestraclasses. |

Course Description:

This course is designed for beginning students interested in learning to play violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Students will be given an opportunity to learn about the different string instruments, and then choose one of which he/she will learn to play. The students will learn skills in posture, playing position, tone production, as well as music reading. Basic music theory and history will be explored. Giving two or more performances during the school year will develop performance skills. One or more of these concerts will occur in the evening to allow parents and friends to hear the students. Some solo and small ensemble playing will be encouraged. Parents may be asked to rent an instrument for their child to use at home and school.

Text: (to be purchased by student)

“Orchestra Expressions”, book 1 (Grades 5 & 6)

“Orchestra Expressions”, book 2 (Grades 6, 7, 8)

Expectations of Teacher:

To cover the Academic Standards for Instrumental Music, as set by MNPS.

To provide experiences which facilitate proficiency in playing an instrument and reading music.

To foster higher thinking skills through exploration, creation, analyzing music and performances.

To give advance notice, when possible, of performances and extra rehearsals.

Expectations of Student:

Arrive to class on time and follow class rules.

Bring music/book, instrument, bow, shoulder pad or rock stop, rosin, cloth, folder, and pencil to class each day.

Keep fingernails short on left hand in order to have good playing position.

Fully and appropriately participate in class when at school.

Practice at home each week as prescribed in Practice Planner.

Attend extra pre-scheduled rehearsals.

Perform in scheduled concerts, dressed to standards, while demonstrating proper concert etiquette.

Grading Policy:

Students will be graded on meeting weekly learning objectives. Performance evaluations focus on posture, bowing, left hand position, rhythm, intonation, and technique. Re-tests are scheduled upon request after a student has demonstrated further study/ practice.

Written tests and other written assignments are given periodically. These are graded on content.

A performance jury (exam) is given near the end of each semester. It includes scales, an assigned solo, and sight-reading. The jury also helps determine class placement for the upcoming semester.

Concert/Performance Grading Policy:

The MNPS Board of Education states that after-school rehearsals and concerts may be required as part of the curriculum as long as there is adequate notification given by the teacher. As a performance group, it is extremely important that each member participate in scheduled concerts and rehearsals. Students will receive performance test grades based on: attendance, punctuality, proper dress, and appropriate participation in these events. Any conflicts of dates must be in writing at least two days before the event so that a solution may be found when possible.

Homework Policy:

Practicing outside of class time is essential to the success of the student. Practice Planners are signed by Guardians and turned in the first school day of each week.

Make-up Work Policy:

See teacher for individual guidance on making up work.

Ways Parents Can Help:

By providing and maintaining student instrument, equipment.

By purchasing other needed materials and signing practice notes, permission slips, etc.

By encouraging the student to practice at home.

By helping the student to remember to take his/her instrument back and forth from school.

By getting students to and from concerts/activities on time, without leaving early.

By modeling good concert etiquette, i.e.: remaining in seat and quiet during a performance.

Classroom Procedures:

Students enter class, take out equipment, tune, and begin warming up while waiting for class instruction to begin.

Students are advised to take their instruments home at the end of each week for practicing, if not every day.

For safety, students are encouraged to bring instruments back to the string room in the morning before school starts. MNPS is not liable for any loss or damage to instruments or other personal property.

There will be no restroom breaks given during instructional time. Students may ask for permission at the very beginning or end of class. Restroom passes are issued one at a time.

Classroom Rules:

1. Come to class on time, prepared with all materials: instrument, music, paper, pencil.

2. Stay in assigned seat throughout class unless given permission to do otherwise.

3. Be respectful:

Refrain from disruptive behavior. Do not distract others, keeping hands, feet, objects, and comments to yourself.

4. Refrain from eating or drinking (anything) in the classroom.

5. Backpacks are not allowed in class. Purses must be away in violin/viola locker, left in the hallway, or on teacher’s desk

6. Refrain from grooming during class, including applying lotion or make-up.

Consequences for breaking a rule:

1. Student may be asked to fill out a behavior reflection sheet, and/or be sent to another teacher’s room. Parent/guardian notified.

2. After continued misbehavior, a parent/guardian will be notified.

3. Office referral:

If ISS or OSS is the result of misbehavior in this class, the student will not be permitted to attend this classes field trips.

Repeat offenses will merit a meeting with parents/administrator to determine the next best course of action, with possible removal from Strings.

Materials Needed:

Instrument, Bow, Rosin

Violins and Violas: must have shoulder pads

Cellos and Basses: must have rock stop

Music Book

1 extra set of strings (except for Bass)

Soft cloth

Optional: (gift ideas)

Electronic tuner or pitch pipe tuner appropriate for instrument

Folding music stand for at-home practice

Popular music books

Subscription to “Smart Music”

Stool for Basses

Metronome

Mute

Formal Concert Dress:

Solid long black skirts or pants, and solid white dress shirt.

Black dress shoes, black socks or stockings.

No jewelry except small post earrings, small rings, watches.

Informal Concert Dress: (i.e. school assemblies)

Standard school attire

Khaki pants, shorts, or long skirts

School shoes

Additional Resources:

Free, after school help is available most Tuesday afternoons until 4:00PM.

Classroom Classics free tickets to the Nashville Symphony Classical series concerts are available.

W.O. Smith Music school offers lessons at a reduced fee based on income.

Blair Youth Orchestras accept new students in August each year.

Nashville Youth Orchestra schedules auditions upon request.

MNPS Summer Orchestra Camp. See me for an application.

*Special Events: (subject to change)

Winter Concert: February 23, 2017 @ 6PM, Grades 6-8

Solo/Ensemble Festival: April 29, 2017 @ Croft Design Magnet Middle School

Spring Concert: May 9, 2017 @ 6PM, Grades 5-8

ORCHESTRA WEEKLY PRACTICE PLANNER

Practice Time, divided into 3-5 days: This week’s assignment(s):

Beginners = 75 minutes per week.

6th Grade = 100 minutes per week. _______________________________________

7th Grade = 125 minutes per week.

8th Grade = 150 minutes per week. Practice carefully, aiming for a beautiful sound!

Due Date = Tuesday, January 17

|Monday |

|1/9/2017 |

|How well did I accomplish my goal(s), or why didn’t I accomplish my goal(s)? |

| |

| |

|How much effort did I put into practicing this week? (Scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being most.) |

| |

| |

|What improvements to my practice should I make next week? |

| |

| |

|What did I enjoy playing most? OR-Feedback from family and friends about my practice: |

| |

| |

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________ Grade earned: ________

Effective Practice Tips

(as adapted from “Orchestra Expressions”)

Student and parent/guardian should actively do the following:

1. Create a practice room/area including:

• Proper chair or equipment

• Proper lighting

• Music stand/ pencil/ music

• Quiet environment, free of noise and distractions

• Metronome/tuner

2. Set aside a regular time for practice each day. Practicing three hours just one day will not yield the same results as practicing 30 minutes each day over six days.

3. Include all items from your Orchestra @ Home assignment, or other classroom music in daily practice.

4. Organization is the key to a successful practice session. Plan each practice session by setting realistic and obtainable goals. Ask yourself these questions:

• What is the goal of this particular practice session?

• Am I playing with proper posture and position?

• Am I playing the correct pitches and rhythms?

• Am I playing with a steady pulse?

• Am I playing with a beautiful sound?

• Am I tackling the difficult parts?

5. When you are having difficulty with a passage:

• Isolate the problem: is it left or right hand?

• Count the rhythms out loud.

• Clap the rhythms.

• Sing and finger the notes.

• Shadow-bow the passage.

• Begin at a slower tempo and gradually increase the speed.

• Repeat as often as necessary.

• Play through the passage five times correctly.

6. Record your practice session and critique the performance.

7. If you become frustrated, take a short break and then continue your practice.

8. Be optimistic – you are improving! Learn from correcting mistakes.

9. Try playing something by “ear” or make up your own song at least once a week.

10. Always end with a favorite song, and complete your practice journal after each session.

Careful Practice = More Fun Playing More Songs!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download